The phenomenon you are referring to is called "reactance." Reactance is a psychological response that occurs when individuals feel that their freedom or autonomy is being threatened or restricted. When people experience reactance, they may be compelled to act in ways that defy or go against the instructions or rules imposed upon them.
In your example, when someone is told not to look in a closet, their sense of autonomy and freedom may feel challenged. As a result, they may experience reactance, leading them to open the closet out of a desire to assert their independence and autonomy, even if they may not necessarily be curious about what's inside.
Reactance can occur in various situations, ranging from simple instructions like the closet example to more significant issues, such as government-imposed regulations or authoritarian parenting styles. It is a natural human response when individuals perceive that their choices or behaviors are being limited, and it can be more pronounced in certain personality types or cultural contexts.
It's important for authorities, parents, or anyone providing instructions to be mindful of how they communicate their expectations, as excessive or overly controlling messages can trigger reactance and result in the opposite behaviors they desire. Balancing clear communication with respecting individual autonomy can help mitigate the effects of reactance.